Population 104,725 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sumter County
Household size in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.68 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
The average household in Sumter County has 2.53 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.68, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.2 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.9 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
At 39.9, the median age in Sumter County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.2, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the west and oldest in the center.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.1% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Sumter County (12.8%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 4.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Sumter County
Renters in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.2% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.4% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 31.9% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly a third of households in Sumter County rent their homes (31.9%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in South Carolina as a whole (28.1%). Among homeowners, 49.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Sumter County: 13.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. The picture is much the same across South Carolina.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Sumter County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the east has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $704 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $830 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $870 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,161 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$458 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Sumter County runs $1,161 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $458 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 29.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Sumter County
Bachelor's degrees in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.2% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.8% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Sumter County: 23.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.9 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.4% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.9% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.8% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Sumter County have finished high school as nationally: 89.6%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.2 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Sumter County
| Period | Sumter County | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.9% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Sumter County than nationally: unemployment was 6.6%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Sumter County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter County | 2.53 | 39.9 | 12.8% | 31.9% | 13.2% | 1987 | $1,161 | 23.9% | 89.6% | 6.6% |
| Richland County | 2.40 | 37.1 | 14.3% | 39.7% | 10.9% | 1988 | $1,377 | 40.9% | 92.1% | 6.3% |
| Lexington County | 2.53 | 40.8 | 11.5% | 22.6% | 8.5% | 1993 | $1,248 | 34.1% | 92.0% | 4.3% |
| Saluda County | 2.49 | 44.4 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 19.1% | 1986 | $1,002 | 20.9% | 84.3% | 3.2% |
| McCormick County | 2.09 | 57.8 | 7.7% | 12.1% | 24.7% | 1987 | $1,152 | 25.1% | 86.9% | 5.2% |
| Brunswick County | 2.24 | 53.2 | 8.2% | 15.4% | 20.4% | 2002 | $1,409 | 33.9% | 93.2% | 4.5% |
| Oglethorpe County | 2.94 | 43.2 | 11.5% | 16.2% | 17.3% | 1990 | $855 | 25.1% | 88.5% | 3.3% |
| Clarke County | 2.22 | 33.2 | 12.6% | 58.6% | 6.9% | 1987 | $1,250 | 46.2% | 89.0% | 5.3% |
| Oconee County | 2.91 | 41.4 | 6.6% | 18.7% | 5.4% | 1999 | $1,568 | 57.1% | 96.5% | 2.7% |
| Barrow County | 2.95 | 36.4 | 13.0% | 21.5% | 5.0% | 2000 | $1,488 | 21.4% | 88.9% | 3.7% |
| Gwinnett County | 3.09 | 36.6 | 13.2% | 33.7% | 5.5% | 1996 | $2,020 | 38.6% | 87.6% | 4.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Monongalia County, WV · Flagler County, FL · Flathead County, MT · Franklin County, MO · Hanover County, VA · Hardin County, KY · Highlands County, FL · Houston County, AL · Lycoming County, PA · Madison County, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Sumter County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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